Photo Flash: Open Call for AMERICAN IDIOT in Toronto

Dancap Productions held an open casting call for the Broadway smash-hit American Idiot this Saturday, March 26th in Toronto. The Canadian talent came out in droves to show the New York casting agent what they had to offer! The Tony Award Winning American Idiot is based on the Green Day album of the same name, and it will rock the Toronto Centre for the Arts from December 28th, 2011 to January 15th, 2012.

Toronto is one of only four cities casting for the upcoming tour, and the only Canadian stop. The casting directors from Roundabout Theatre Company in NYC are looking for male and female rock singers in their early to mid 20s.

The auditions were scheduled to start at 11AM at Roy Thomson Hall, but the first people arrived in line as early as 3:30AM to make sure they got their chance to shine. They camped out in the cold with their sheet music, guitars, rock ballads and coffee! Some even came from as far as Buffalo to be seen.

BWW was on hand to experience the excitement of the open call, and is thrilled to bring you photographs of many of the hopefuls as well as a brief interview with casting agent Carrie Gardner, who told us a little bit about what she was looking for in the next group of "Idiots":

Do people auditioning have to be able to play the guitar?

Our three male leads have to, but no one else in the show has to play. Everyone plays at the end in the encore but we teach that. For the leads however, they must be adept enough to accompany themselves while singing.

What are you looking for when you listen to someone sing?

It's really a combination of everything. This is a musical so obviously people have to be technically proficient. We want people to be great actors, but they have to be singers first. In terms of vocal range, we are casting the entire company so we are looking for everything. Personality is also huge, so people coming in should try and show a bit of who they are when they are singing. I can really notice a difference between people who are just singing at me and people who are really putting emotion and personality behind it.

Are you more likely to choose someone with experience over someone coming out for their very first audition?

Not necessarily. To me it doesn't really matter how many times you have auditioned, it is whether or not you can handle the role. If you are so green that you might not be able to perform eight times a week that would be a problem. I'm looking for people to have a certain level of professionalism and confidence.

How many callbacks would you get out of a day like today?

I would suspect between about 30-50.

For those getting a callback, what really stood out to you?

They have to have a bit of edge. Musical theatre performers who come in and try and be in this "American Idiot" world sometimes struggle because they are a bit too polished. For this show they have to be able to convince the audience they are people who spend their days sitting on their couch in middle America. Sometimes you might be a bit "too Broadway" for that. The people getting callbacks had something which grabbed me, and so I want to see them do a whole song. Some of them might crash and burn when given the material, it is always interesting to see the difference between what someone will do with 16 bars and what they will do with an entire song.

When and Where?

American Idiot
Toronto Centre for the Performing Arts

December 28th, 2011 - January 15th, 2012

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased via phone at 416.644.3665
( toll-free 1.866.950.7469) or online at www.dancaptickets.com

All Photos by Racheal McCaig Photography